Code of Practice

Summary Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students

Introduction

When students from other countries come to study in New Zealand, it is important that those students are well informed, safe, and properly cared for.

New Zealand educational providers have an important responsibility for international students' welfare.
This pamphlet provides an overview of the "Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students" (the Code), and provides a procedure that students can follow if they have concerns about their treatment by a New Zealand educational provider or agent of a provider.

What is the Code?

The Code is a document which provides a framework for service delivery by educational providers and their agents to international students. The Code sets out the minimum standards of advice and care that are expected of educational providers with respect to international students. The Code applies to pastoral care and provision of information only, and not to academic standards.

When does the Code apply?

The Code commences on the 31st of March 2002. Educational providers then have six months to sign the Code. Between the 31st of March and the 30th of September 2002 you will need to check with the Ministry of Education if your provider is a signatory to the Code.

When does the Code apply?

The Code commences on the 31st of March 2002. Educational providers then have six months to sign the Code. Between the 31st of March and the 30th of September 2002 you will need to check with the Ministry of Education if your provider is a signatory to the Code.

Who does the Code apply to?

The Code applies to all education providers in New Zealand with students enrolled on international study permits. The Code is mandatory to these providers and must be signed by them.

What is an "international student"?

An "international student" is a foreign student studying in New Zealand on a student permit from the New Zealand Immigration Service.

How can I get a copy of the Code?

You can request a copy of the Code from your New Zealand educational provider. The Code is also available online from www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international

How do I know if an educational provider has signed the Code?

The New Zealand Ministry of Education will maintain a register of all signatories to the Code. This list will be available from www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international If the educational provider that you are seeking to enrol with is not a signatory to the Code, you will not be granted a permit from the New Zealand Immigration Service and you will not be able to study at that institution.

What do I do if something goes wrong?

If you have concerns about your treatment by your educational provider or by an agent of the provider, the first thing you must do is contact the principal, the international student director, or another person who has been identified to you as someone that you can approach about complaints at your institution. The Code requires all institutions to have fair and equitable internal grievance procedures for students and you need to go through these internal processes before you can take the complaint any further.
If your concerns are not resolved by the internal grievance procedures, you can contact the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA).

A summary of the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students:

The Code sets standards for educational providers to ensure that:

• high professional standards are maintained
  
• the recruitment of international students is undertaken in an ethical and responsible manner
  
• information supplied to international students is comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date
  
• students are provided with information prior to entering into any commitments
  
• contractual dealings with international students are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner
  
• the particular needs of international students are recognised nternational students under the age of 18 are in safe accommodation
  
• all providers have fair and equitable internal procedures for the resolution of international student grievances

Full details of what is covered can be found in the Code itself.
The Code also establishes the IEAA and the Review Panel to receive and adjudicate on student complaints.

What will the IEAA do?

The purpose of the IEAA is to adjudicate on complaints from international students. The IEAA will investigate complaints and determine if there has been a breach of the Code. The IEAA has the power to impose sanctions on educational providers who have committed a breach of the Code that is not a serious breach. These sanctions include an order for restitution, publication of the breach, and / or requiring that remedial action be undertaken.
The IEAA will refer complaints that are not about pastoral care to another regulatory body if appropriate.
The educational provider will be given a reasonable time to remedy the breach. If the breach is not remedied within that time, the IEAA may refer the complaint to the Review Panel.
The IEAA can determine if it considers that a breach of the Code is a serious breach. If the breach is a serious breach, the IEAA will refer the complaint to the Review Panel.

What can the Review Panel do?

The Review Panel can remove or suspend an educational provider as a signatory to the Code, meaning that the provider would be prevented from taking any more international students. Only the IEAA can refer complaints to the Review Panel.

What is the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA)?

The IEAA is an independent body established to deal with complaints from international students about pastoral care aspects of advice and services received from their educational provider or the provider's agents. The IEAA enforces the standards in the Code of Practice.

How can I contact the IEAA?

You can write to the IEAA at:
The International Education Appeal Authority,
C/- Ministry of Education,
PO Box 12083,
Wellington,
New Zealand.
Email: info.ieaa@minedu.govt.nz
Full Code of practice is available on:
www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international

Code:

"Language Schools New Zealand has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at http://www.minedu.govt.nz"
"Most students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand unless they are:

• A resident or citizen of Australia; or
  
• A national of the United Kingdom in New Zealand; or
  
• The holder of a temporary permit that is valid for two years or more.

If you do not belong to one of these special categories and you receive medical treatment during your visit, you will be liable for the full costs of that treatment. We strongly recommend that you have insurance that will cover the cost of medical treatment in New Zealand for the duration of your stay in New Zealand. We also strongly recommend that you obtain insurance to cover your travel to and from New Zealand."

Immigration:

"Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz."

Orientation and Support Services

Orientation is provided for all students upon entering our schools. This involves meeting with a teacher or staff member on the first day of school with the other new students. At this time students receive our welcome pack, handbook, and are shown around the school and our rules are explained. Support staff are introduced to students at this time. Students are given a level test at this time and are shown around the centre of the town in which they will study.

Withdrawal and Termination procedures

Disruptive behaviour

In the event of disruptive behaviour the Director reserves the right to issue a warning letter to the student and, if there is no improvement, to expel the student.
Students are expected to comply with the laws of New Zealand and failure to do so will lead to expulsion and forfeiture of school fees. In this event NZIS (The New Zealand Immigration Service) will be notified.

Absentee Policy

When a student is absent from school, the school staff will call the accommodation to ensure the safety of the student. If the student is just absent from school and health and safety is not the issue the following applies.

• The student will receive preliminary counselling from the teacher. The student then has two weeks in which to correct his or her behaviour.
  
• If after two weeks the teacher notices unexplained prolonged or habitual absence of a student, weeks the student's attendance has not improved, the teacher will refer the student to the Director of Studies. The Director of Studies will issue the student his or her first written warning. The student has two weeks to improve.
  
• If the student's attendance does not improve within these two weeks, the student will be referred to the Manager, who will issue the student with a second written warning. The student then has another two weeks to change his or her attendance habits.  

If, at the end of the two weeks the student's attendance is still not satisfactory, he or she will be expelled. In this event there is no refund and NZIS (The New Zealand Immigration Service) will be notified.

Grievance procedure

In the event of a grievance not being able to be resolved by way of discussions with the school Director, complaints can be lodged with:

• The New Zealand Qualifications Authority, phone 0800 QA HELP (0800 724357)
  
• The International Appeal Authority (IEAA)
  C/- Ministry of Education Private Bag 47911
  Ponsonby
  Auckland
  email: info.iaee@minedu.govt.nz
  
• Your solicitor.